GM of luxury hotel in Jamaica suspended after workers protest 'poor conditions'

The general manager of Royalton Negril has been suspended, two days after over 200 workers protested alleged poor working conditions at the luxury hotel in Westmoreland. 

The news follows a meeting Wednesday involving Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the workers and the hotel management.

Bartlett was accompanied by officials from the Jamaica Tourist Board and other tourism-related entities. 

News filtered out of the meeting that the general manager, who took up the post two months ago, was suspended. Other decisions have not been disclosed. 

Senior executives from the hotel's operators flew in from Spain on Monday night to take charge of the situation.

The industrial action impacted operations at the property, with visitors complaining about absence services. Some guests also supported the workers' strike. 

Late yesterday, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles Jr released a statement confirming that the workers had resumed their duties.

The more than 200 disgruntled workers withdrew their services on National Heroes Day. Along with claiming poor treatment by the management and low wages, they also called for the removal of the general manager, who they said has been insensitive to their plight.

“Most time, they are talking about budget when we can't even get water fe drink,” said Amar James, one of the disgruntled workers during Monday's protest.  “The food situation bad. When yu go to de canteen, de food nah prepare good. Sometimes yu can't get nothing to eat, yet yu have to work long hours.”

According to James, even when an employee works as much as 80 hours for a fortnight, the remuneration is still below what he would consider a reasonable wage. He said complaints to management are usually ignored, which led to their decision to stage the protest.

Senator Janice Allen, the opposition spokesperson on tourism, expressed her solidarity with the workers and called for the hotel's management to "engage in meaningful dialogue with the staff to reach an amicable resolution". 

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